Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-06-03
7 he T est.

eIhSo sue Cnilc from inc DOafd ng-
school in Philadelphia TO preside over
her fathers house with pretty airs of
control which Mrs. Wells, the actual
housekeeper, never resented or contra
dcted. Her beauty WAS OF the ex-
quisitely delicate type pecul ar to
American girls of the refined, educat :
ed class-the arstocracy OF this demo
Graf C land. Her hair of golden brown
corered her tall. slender figure like a
vel in fine threads of richest gold.
Her eyes were a deep hazel, shaded by
long. golden-brown lashes. aud her
tatures were cut rs clearly and regu-
larry as fine cameo. Hands and feet
were small and slender not n, for her
whole figure was gracefully rounded.
But her greatest perfection was skin
as fair, soft and spotless as that of
miniature painting.
When the good minister christened
her he gave her the far from musical
name of Mary Jane, and Mary Jane
Trask was certainly her proper cogno-
men. But she was May from baby;
May in school. May at home, and
when, at eighteen, she came home
'for good" with the honors of the
seminary embodied in her diploma,
there was probably not six people in
Wildhaven who knew her name was
actually Mary Jane
She reigned i'll the village by right of
her lovely face, her kind heart, her
city accomplishments and her fathers
position for old DR.. Trask was one of
the grandees Of the place, though his
worldly means would probably sound
very small if named IN dollars and
cents in Wall street
Nobody wondered when Mr.. Pcndle-
ion, the great city artist. came TO
Wildhaven for the summer that he re-
quested the doctor TO allow him to take
Miss Mays portrait, to introduce into
a scene he was pa ming OF spring.
In his hands the well-worn subject
became marvel of fresh creations,
and when he had made his many
easel and canvas. by Mays permission,
in large, empty room at the doctor :,
and began his painting in good earnest
He had brought letters TO DR.. Trask
from some old city friends, and in
Wildhaven the proprietors were not
iron fences aga nst friendly intercourse.
Young girls were supposed to be
sufficiently guarded from insult or mis-
construction by their own innate purity
and modesty, and when May stood for
her picture in the great empty room
nobody's hands were raised in horror
because no matron sat beside her. Her
dress for these occasions was Of thin
floating muslin. cut 10 show her round
shoulders and arms, and her waving
golden hair fell unbound around her.
Upon her dress and N the hair were
catered delicate spring blossoms, and
the small hands carried long sprays of
tender green leaves.
But once dressed and in position.
Mark Pendleton desired his far model
10 forget that she was sitting for p c.
ture, and eXerted every charm of his
wonderful powers of conversation for
that purpose. And May listened aud
answered modestly and intelligently,
till she would grow interested in her
subjects. when her large eyes would di-
late with feeling, her cheeks flush to
delicate rose tints and her face intensi-
fy its own beauty, till the artist sighed
10 think how poorly paint and pencil
could reproduce the exquis tie face he
cop ed.
He was somewhat older than Nav,
this great artist, who had seen Europe
an cities and all the natural scenery of
note in his own land, who had read and
thought so much, and whose pictures
commanded such high prices, but his
heart was fresh and youthful as boys,
and his love of beauty an undying
source of delight to him.
He had tall figure and fine face,
with large, dark, soul-lit eyes, and May
thought him as handsome rs he thought
her. VIII ch is saying a great deal. She
felt proud if she could contribute any
thing to his great picture. and would
flush with pleasure when he asked her
to sing as he worked ITO inspire his
hand" delighted to pour forth her
clear, sweet soprano in his favorite
songs, and see his face kindle to enthu-
siasn, at tho saunJs
So they gave heart for heart in the
long summer DAYS, often forgetting
even the picture and each others faces,
IS they interchanged the deeper soul
talk that draws true love in the strong
est bonds. The worldly-wse man. the
pet of the great city, the artist whose
name was well-known one through
out tho land, gave his heart to the gen.
tie, sweet girl, who thought heaven
was opened for her as she knew the
gift was hers.